Automobile head lamp



Nov. 22, 1927.

, H. B. DONLEY AUTOMOBILE HEADLAMP Filed Feb. 1?. 192a attozweq Iii) source'of light,

Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

ansom) B. nonLnY, awareness, oirroj lineman (to its alternative ooini sivv, or serum;

insane ea S, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

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Application filed' Febrilary This invention relates to improvements in automobile head lampaparticularly to lamps of the type employinggas burners as a the primary object of themvention being the provision of a lamp of this character wherein the light source, wl'iichis in the form of an acetylene gas burner, is adjustable longitudinally and parallel with the principal akisofan'associated reflector so as to control more effectively the distribution of light issuing from the lamp with the same ease and facility as is now accomplished in the focusing of electric incandescent lamps. a

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an adjustable gas burner for vehicle head lights which will provide a positive and effective connection between the flexible gas conveying tubes and the burner structure throughout all positions of adjustment of the latter, and wherein the various parts of the burner are securely held in their adjusted or operative positions in such manner to eliminate looseness in the connections and to avoid the noises incident to such loose connections.

With these and other objects in view, as

will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be fully described and pointed out in theappended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is av vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through a. lamp constructed in accordance with the presentinvention,

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates the sheet metal body of a head lamp. This body is formed to comprise a closed rear wall 2, an annular wall 3 and an open front, which is closed normally by a lens 4 supported in a ring 5, fitted upon and suitably secured to the beaded front edge 6 of the body 1. Attached to the under part of the wall 2 is a ventilating bracket 7, the specific construction of which is set forth and claimed in my coe pending application filed February 17, 1926 Serial Number 88,899, and with this bracket is associated a bolt 8 used in mounting the lamp in connection with a suitable support. Arranged within the body of the lamp is a 17, 1926. Seria1 No. 88,898.

concavereflector or mirror 9 and in front-of which is arranged an acetylene gas burner 10, permitting of the combustion of gas flowing from the burner to comprise .a

light source, as will be readily understood. Lamps of this general type are employed especially in'connection with motor trucks and other vehicles not pro vided with a local source of electrical energy.

The burner 10 is formed to include a longitudinally extending tube 11 arranged for sliding longitudinal adjustment through an opening 12 provided in the rear wall 2 of the body. The outer end ofthe tube 11 projects beyond the body 1 and is threaded as ndicated nut 1%. tube 11 is provided with an annular enlarge ment 15 which rests upon the wall 3 and surrounding the tube 11 and located the enlargement 15 and the wall. 2 of the lamp body is an expansion coil spring 16 which serves normally to maintain the lock nut 14 in engagement with the outer surface of the rear wall 2. Obviously, by adjusting the nut 14 the spring 16 will serve to control the position which the gas burner 10 occupiesin relation to the reflector 9. The outer end of the tube 11 is adapted to receive an internally threaded nipple 17 to which is secured one end of a hose or tube 18, leading from a suitable source of gas supply. The enlargement .15 terminates in a spherical head and anupwardly directed stem 19, disposed at right angle substantially to the tube 11. The upper end of the stem is threaded as at 20 to accommodate a burner tip 21, the latter being of the usual bifurcated form and provided with reduced gas orifices 22 around which combustion may take place. Mounted upon the wall 3 and embracing the enlargement 15 is a pair of guide brackets 23, which serve to maintain the burner structurein an upright position throughout its entire range of longitudinal adjustment so as to prevent tilting thereof to assume positions out of focus with the reflector 9. 1 y

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a simple and improved structure for. enabling the gas burner of a motor vehicle lamp to be adjusted longitudinally so as to control its relationship With an associated reflector. The adjustment can be effected exteriorly of the at 13 for the reception of a lock between Within the body of the lamp the Ill) lamp in a quick, convenient and positive manner, avoiding the necessity of adjusting the burner from Within the lamp and at the same time providing a rigid and secure construetion which will maintain its adjustment and overcome the tendency of the parts to become loosened, lose their adjustment or to vibrate and rattle.

What is claimed is:

In a gas burning vehicle head lamp, a casing including a back wall provided with a refiector and a spaced transparent front wall, a burner member mounted for longitudinal adjustment within said casing between the back and Front walls thereof, said burner member being formed to include a horizontally disposed base portion and a vertically disposed t'p portion, there being an axially disposed gas passage formed axially within said member from end to end thereof, the "base portion of said member being extended to pass through an opening in the back wall of the casing, adjusting means carried by the exteriorly disposed portion of said burner member for regulating the 1ongitudinal adjustment of the latter within said casing, spring means arranged within said casing and operating upon said burner member to maintain the longitudinal adj ustment of the latter, and a longitudinally extending guide stationarily mounted within said casing and formed to include spaced side walls arranged to embrace said burner member and to maintain the latter in an upright position throughout its limit of iongitudinal adjustment.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HAROLD B. DONLEY. 

